Campaign 23V-649Do not drive

Right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail

Defect summary

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.

Consequence

Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC283.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file, campaign 23V649000. Text as published by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered

One product line is covered

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA about suspension on these vehicles: 8, of which 1 involved a crash, fire, injury or death. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Vehicles covered by campaign 23V-649
Make	Model	Model years	Complaints on this component
Kia	Forte	2023	8

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls and complaints files. Equipment, tire and child-seat campaigns list products, not vehicles.

Investigation

No NHTSA investigation is linked to this recall

Most recalls are started by the manufacturer. This one lists "Manufacturer" as its origin.

Before the recall

No service bulletins on this component preceded the recall

Distinct manufacturer communications on the same component group, make, model and model year in the 24 months before the report date.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications file.

Service bulletins

24V-244 Apr 1, 2024
Right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail
16V-480 Jun 29, 2016
Component of the rear suspension may not be properly welded
16V-387 Jun 1, 2016
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion from salt water exposure such as from road salt use
13V-550 Nov 5, 2013
In the affected vehicles, the front lower control arms may break due to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to salty environments
09V-183 May 27, 2009
Road salt applied in these states during the winter months may result in progressive, internal corrosion of the front subframe
95V-073 Apr 11, 1995
Nuts attaching the rear axle bearing oil seal retainers and brake backing plates to the rear axle housing may be under- torqued causing these…